Agreement to stop the bloodshed and open the door to dialogue in the Western Region

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Country/entity: Libya
Region: Middle East and North Africa
Agreement name: Agreement to stop the bloodshed and open the door to dialogue in the Western Region
Date: 16 Jun 2015
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/local conflict
Libyan Conflicts (1969 - 1994) (2011 - )
Agreements relate to two distinct conflict dyads.
Libya-Chad. Since the 1970s, Libya under Colonel Muammar Gaddafi had a tense relationship with its neighbour Chad, predominantly focused on the resource-rich Aouzou Strip in northern Chad. Libyan claims of the Aouzou Strip were held in an un-ratified treaty between France and Italy in 1935, similarly Chadian claims of the Strip were argued with support of a 1955 treaty between Libya and France. In 1973, Libya effectively annexed the Strip to gain access to natural resources. This spurred cross-border clashes between 1979 until 1987 until escalated to a brief war known as the Toyota War, wherein Chadian government troops succeeded in repelling Libyan forces. A brief and repeatedly violated ceasefire was held from 1987-88, followed by a series of unsuccessful negotiations, until an International Court of Justice ruling in 1994, which granted sovereignty of the Strip to Chad.

Libya post-Gaddafi. Gaddafi’s downfall following the Libyan Civil War in 2011-2012, led to several factions fighting for the country’s leadership. Since 2013, the country effectively split into three entities, with the National Army controlling the east including the city of Benghazi, and the New General National Congress and their militias such as the Golden Dawn controlling the northwest including the capital of Tripoli. Significant portions of the country in the south-west are currently held by Tuareg forces. The civil war and chaos continued into 2014 as the General National Congress refused to disband after the expiry of its mandate, resulting in eruption of mass protests. The UN efforts continue to broker peace between the Libyan Army and the Libya Dawn factions, and a partial ceasefire was declared in January 2015. A new interim-government (Tunisia-based) called ‘Government of National Accord’ is formed with the backing of UN despite the refusal of the other forces to recognise its authority and arrived to Tripoli with the UN in 2016. A state of emergency was declared by the UN backed government amid clashed between rival militia in Tripoli’s southern suburbs. Since April 2019 there has been sustained fighting between the Libyan National Army and the UN-backed government in Tripoli as the Libyan National Army aims to seize Tripoli.
Stage: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Inter-group
Peace process: Libyan local processes
Parties: The Municipal Council, Military Council and Elders, Dignitaries and Shura Council from 5 municipalities: al-Rajaban, al-Zintan, Sibratahm Surman and al-Ajilat.
Third parties: -
Description: 9-point agreement providing for: (1) ceasefire; (2) ending media campaigns; (3) allowing persons from other sides enter towns unmolested and that their lands will not be used for staging attacks against other parties; (4) prisoner release; (5) the activation of security forces in all areas coved by the agreement, opening of roads, movement of goods and people; (6) to allow citizens to use the courts to protect their rights; (7) form a committee to solve problems in the community; (8) that entities in other areas will not be contacted except through official channels; (9) code of conduct between parties.

Agreement document: LY_150616_Agreement to end the bloodshed in the Western Region_EN.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): LY_150616_Agreement to end the bloodshed in the Western Region_AR.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: Groups→Children/youth→Substantive
Page 1, 7. To form a committee made up of Islamic Sharia scholars, elders, and legal experts from both sides of the conflict to resolve the unresolved issues between the people of Libya, including returning the youth who had joined one of the two sides of the conflict, as long as the rulings of this committee and its decisions are binding to both sides of the conflict
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: Page 2, [Summary] Signatories from: Elders, Dignitaries and Shura Council from 5 municipalities: al-Rajaban, al-Zintan, Sibratahm Surman and al-Ajilat.

Page 1, Untitled Preamble, Therefore, the elders, Shura, municipal, and local councils and prominent social figures in a number of cities in the Western Region, saw that it was their responsibility to reach a truce between the parties and stop the bloodshed.

Page 1, 7. To form a committee made up of Islamic Sharia scholars, elders, and legal experts from both sides of the conflict to resolve the unresolved issues between the people of Libya, including returning the youth who had joined one of the two sides of the conflict, as long as the rulings of this committee and its decisions are binding to both sides of the conflict
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: Page 1, 5. Both of the parties to the conflict pledge to activate the army and the security agencies, each within the confines of their areas, to secure the public roads and determine the entrances to these areas and approve them. The parties are also formally responsible to ensure freedom of movement of civilians and transportation of goods (except for ammunition and weapons), and they will not stop any civilian based on their identities, except for those that have committed crimes, who shall be punished based on the law and with an order from the public prosecutor’s office.
Media and communication: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Media roles
Page 1, 2. To stop all media campaigns opposed to the other side that incite hatred, violence, and fighting between all of the parties
Rights related issues→Media and communication→Other
Page 2, 8. The two parties to the conflict commit to not contacting or supporting any entities that are in within the areas of the other side, except through official channels.
Mobility/access: Page 1, 1. To stop the fighting and for each party to return to the confines of their areas as soon as this agreement is signed between the two parties and approved by the official authorities, and to open safe passages for humanitarian aid to be delivered.

Page 1, 3. Both of the parties to the conflict, and they are the first party, which is made up of the municipalities of the Western Mountain, Al Zintan and Al Rajban, and the second party, which is made up of the municipalities of the Western Coast, Al Ajilat, Sibratah, and Sarman, pledge to not go in to, take positions, harass, or kill anyone from the other side within the confines of their cities in any case, no matter the reason. They also pledge to not allow any party to use their lands to conduct attacks on the other side, including attacks by any other forces under any name at all.

Page 1, 5. Both of the parties to the conflict pledge to activate the army and the security agencies, each within the confines of their areas, to secure the public roads and determine the entrances to these areas and approve them. The parties are also formally responsible to ensure freedom of movement of civilians and transportation of goods (except for ammunition and weapons), and they will not stop any civilian based on their identities, except for those that have committed crimes, who shall be punished based on the law and with an order from the public prosecutor’s office.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: Justice sector reform→Criminal justice and emergency law→Criminal Justice System reform
Page 1, 6. To protect the rights of affected civilians by submitting the cases to the courts against any individual or entity that has committed a crime against them
Justice sector reform→Criminal justice and emergency law→Delimitation of powers in Criminal Justice System
Page 1, 5. Both of the parties to the conflict pledge to activate the army and the security agencies, each within the confines of their areas, to secure the public roads and determine the entrances to these areas and approve them. The parties are also formally responsible to ensure freedom of movement of civilians and transportation of goods (except for ammunition and weapons), and they will not stop any civilian based on their identities, except for those that have committed crimes, who shall be punished based on the law and with an order from the public prosecutor’s office.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Humanitarian assistance
Page 1, 1. To stop the fighting and for each party to return to the confines of their areas as soon as this agreement is signed between the two parties and approved by the official authorities, and to open safe passages for humanitarian aid to be delivered
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: Page 1, 3. Both of the parties to the conflict, and they are the first party, which is made up of the municipalities of the Western Mountain, Al Zintan and Al Rajban, and the second party, which is made up of the municipalities of the Western Coast, Al Ajilat, Sibratah, and Sarman, pledge to not go in to, take positions, harass, or kill anyone from the other side within the confines of their cities in any case, no matter the reason. They also pledge to not allow any party to use their lands to conduct attacks on the other side, including attacks by any other forces under any name at all.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 1, 1. To stop the fighting and for each party to return to the confines of their areas as soon as this agreement is signed between the two parties and approved by the official authorities, and to open safe passages for humanitarian aid to be delivered
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: Page 1, 5. Both of the parties to the conflict pledge to activate the army and the security agencies, each within the confines of their areas, to secure the public roads and determine the entrances to these areas and approve them. The parties are also formally responsible to ensure freedom of movement of civilians and transportation of goods (except for ammunition and weapons), and they will not stop any civilian based on their identities, except for those that have committed crimes, who shall be punished based on the law and with an order from the public prosecutor’s office.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: Page 1, 4. To release all of the detainees that all of the parties are holding as soon as the third point in this agreement is implemented
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: On file with author.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Agreement to stop the bloodshed and open the door to dialogue in the Western Region

To Our Great Nation,

In adherence to the rulings of Allah when He said:

“Let there be a group among you who call others to goodness, encourage what is good, and forbid what is evil.” (

Quran, 3:104)

Through the direct and indirect communication between the parties to the conflict and between the commanders of the regions and the frontlines of the clashes in the Western Region, a truce was put in place for 10 days.

Therefore, the elders, Shura, municipal, and local councils and prominent social figures in a number of cities in the Western Region, saw that it was their responsibility to reach a truce between the parties and stop the bloodshed.

These councils call upon all of the parties to the conflict to answer the call of Allah when He said, “And settle your affairs” and when He said “that a settlement is best.”

On Tuesday, 16/6/2015, in the headquarters of the Taleel House in the city of Sibratah, the parties agreed to the following points:

To stop the fighting and for each party to return to the confines of their areas as soon as this agreement is signed between the two parties and approved by the official authorities, and to open safe passages for humanitarian aid to be delivered

To stop all media campaigns opposed to the other side that incite hatred, violence, and fighting between all of the parties

Both of the parties to the conflict, and they are the first party, which is made up of the municipalities of the Western Mountain, Al Zintan and Al Rajban, and the second party, which is made up of the municipalities of the Western Coast, Al Ajilat, Sibratah, and Sarman, pledge to not go in to, take positions, harass, or kill anyone from the other side within the confines of their cities in any case, no matter the reason.

They also pledge to not allow any party to use their lands to conduct attacks on the other side, including attacks by any other forces under any name at all.

To release all of the detainees that all of the parties are holding as soon as the third point in this agreement is implemented

Both of the parties to the conflict pledge to activate the army and the security agencies, each within the confines of their areas, to secure the public roads and determine the entrances to these areas and approve them.

The parties are also formally responsible to ensure freedom of movement of civilians and transportation of goods (except for ammunition and weapons), and they will not stop any civilian based on their identities, except for those that have committed crimes, who shall be punished based on the law and with an order from the public prosecutor’s office.

To protect the rights of affected civilians by submitting the cases to the courts against any individual or entity that has committed a crime against them

To form a committee made up of Islamic Sharia scholars, elders, and legal experts from both sides of the conflict to resolve the unresolved issues between the people of Libya, including returning the youth who had joined one of the two sides of the conflict, as long as the rulings of this committee and its decisions are binding to both sides of the conflict

The two parties to the conflict commit to not contacting or supporting any entities that are in within the areas of the other side, except through official channels.

A code of conduct shall be issued, and both parties shall be subject to it in order to implement the results of the mediation and its outputs during an agreed upon time period.

We ask Allah to guide all of the parties and show them right way.

Signatures and Stamps

Municipality

Municipal Council

Military Council

The Elders, Dignitaries, and Shura Council

Al Rajaban

[SIGNED and STAMPED]

Al Zintan

[SIGNED and STAMPED]

Sibratah

[SIGNED and STAMPED]

Surman

[SIGNED and STAMPED]

Al Ajilat

[SIGNED and STAMPED]